What Herbalism Creates

What Herbalism Requires

Herbalism is a strict gathering skill. It has no special needs other than having an available profession slot to train it in. It does, however, use mini-map tracking to find herbs, and this can interfere with certain races and classes' other abilities, notably hunters.

Is Herbalism For Me?

Herbalism is useful for people who have taken the Alchemy or Inscription professions, as herbs are the raw ingredients for these two crafting professions, and time permitting, collecting your own ingredients is a lot cheaper than buying them on the Auction House.

In terms of making money, like any gathering skill, herbalism can be very lucrative. It is a strange paradox in World of Warcraft that the materials for a produced item typically cost just as much as the item itself due to the availability of crafters and the large amount of raw materials on the Auction House. Often someone who knows an alchemist and wants a particular potion will buy loose herbs to hand over to their friend. So, in a strange sense, yes, picking weeds is a very good money-maker.

There is a small benefit to being an herbalist. At each mastery level, a new ability is granted called Lifeblood. That being said, there are a few herbs (such as Bloodthistle) that can be used in their raw form to boost certain abilities for a short time.

New in Wrath of the Lich King

Gathering Skill Buffs

Gathering professions will now get a passive buff or active ability that's based on gathering skill level. For herbalists this is an active ability called Lifeblood, the ability currently reads as follows: